St Helens confirm signing of Joey Lussick

Drew Darbyshire

St Helens have confirmed the signing of Joey Lussick from Parramatta Eels on a three-year deal from 2022.

The 25-year-old hooker scored 18 tries in 59 appearances for Salford between 2018-20 before moving back to Australia to join Parramatta in the NRL.

Lussick, who has made nine appearances for the Eels this season, helped Salford reach the Super League Grand Final in 2019 and the Challenge Cup final the following season.

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf said: “Joey is a player who caught everyone’s attention playing for Salford.

“He showed how hard he competes and how he can find the try line at Salford and is a proven Super League player.

“We know we need competition for places and another player in the hooker position and we have done a lot of homework on Joey. He is exactly the type of player and person we want.

“He is now showing his talent in the NRL and has the core skills of a hooker including a great kicking game and a great ability to find the try-line.”

Lussick scored 18 tries in 59 games for Salford

Lussick said: “I am really excited for the future ahead over at St Helens. The Saints have been the powerhouse team and the team to beat over the last few years, so I am really looking forward to being a part of that next season.

“I really enjoyed my time in England and St Helens won the year I was at Salford as well as the following year. They are going well again this season and I have seen nothing but strong performances. They have set the standard every week so I am looking forward to playing my part.”

Lussick is looking forward to playing alongside England international and current Saints captain James Roby next season.

He added: “James Roby has been a world class player. Everyone in Australia and England knows him and has been one of St Helens greatest ever players and he will be potentially one of the most capped players ever too.

“I am really looking forward to picking his brains and training alongside him. He is the skipper of the club, and I can’t wait to share the training field and playing field with him.”